4 Common Types of Medical Negligence Claims

The healthcare industry is currently the fastest growing industry in the country. The rapid increase in demand means healthcare providers must expand their operations just as rapidly. Unfortunately, the rapid expansion also increases the risk of mistreatments and accidents across all healthcare services. Naturally, the number of medical negligence claims made is also on the rise.

From the cases reported by various sources, including the NHS’s own claims litigation department, there are some common cases of medical negligence happening across the board. In this article, we are going to focus more on the top four common types of medical negligence claims and what to do when you are in the same situation.

Medical Misdiagnosis

Medical misdiagnosis is the most common type of negligence claim right now. Misdiagnosis usually leads to mistreatment of patients and other hazards, making it a serious negligence case that must be handled properly. Failure to diagnose a condition correctly could easily lead to delivery of unnecessary treatments and medications.

According to a recent survey, one in six patients treated in NHS hospitals was misdiagnosed. You may be the victim of a misdiagnosis and the subsequent mistreatments. If you think you are a victim, know that you can file a medical negligence claim.

It is also worth noting that there are two major types of misdiagnosis. A physician could issue the wrong diagnosis or fail to come up with a diagnosis entirely. In both cases, you have the right to file a claim.

Surgical Negligence

The second type of medical negligence claims that are quite common is surgical negligence. With the pressure to deliver quick and effective treatments mounting, it is not uncommon for even the most sensitive surgery to end with negligence.

Some surgical negligence types are even labelled as “Never Events” due to their severity, but similar cases are still recorded. In fact, the NHS reported a whopping 190 Never Events in 2015 alone.

Taking a closer look at the common cases of surgical negligence. There are several major types to look out for. Having the wrong operation performed, the wrong part of the body operated on, or foreign objects left inside the body after an operation are the most common types of surgical negligence. You can get a medical negligence UK solicitor to assist you with your claim in any of these situations.

Medication Errors

The next medical negligence type that is also very common is medication error, also known as prescription error. As the name suggests, this type of medical negligence involves the wrong medication prescribed or dispensed.

Once again, it is disheartening to know that this type of medical malpractice is very common. Doctors prescribing the incorrect dosage amount, as well as prescribing a completely unnecessary medication, are also among the common cases. However, before you make a claim on this, you need to check that you are definitely taking your medication correctly, as a surprising amount of people risk their own lives by accidently self-medicating incorrectly.

You can get in touch with the best medical negligence solicitors to file a negligence claim in any of these situations. The best medical negligence lawyers can help you secure the right evidence and complete the necessary legal steps while you get proper treatments and focus more on your health.

Pregnancy and Birth Injuries

The last type of medical negligence cases on our list is birth injuries. Pregnancy and birth are crucial moments in life; they must be handled with extra care, including by doctors and nurses involved in the process. Birth injuries, however, are not uncommon at all.

The slightest mistake can turn into a catastrophe when it happens during pregnancy and labour. Minor birth injuries can turn into serious – or even permanent – health issues. In most birth injury compensation claims handled by UK’s top medical negligence solicitors, the compensation awarded to victims covers any long-term care required.

Handling Medical Negligence Claims

Medical negligence claims are notoriously delicate and complicated. Getting an experienced solicitor experienced in medical negligence claims UK law is a must; it is also highly recommended to get the solicitor involved early, so you have someone experienced assisting you every step of the way.

Finding a solicitor is relatively easy, especially with technology on your side. You can, for instance, visit a website such as The Medical Negligence Experts online and get immediate advice through their free advice line to see whether you have a legitimate claim. Their website also answers a lot of questions on whether you can claim to help build up your knowledge of the matter first.

Next, make sure you focus on your health – or the health of the victim – first. This is another big advantage of having a lawyer by your side every step of the way. As you focus your energy and attention towards recovering from an injury and other implications of the malpractice, your lawyer will move the claim along and represent you.

Last but not least, always remember to document every step you take, including the opinions of other doctors you see, any treatment you receive due to the medical negligence, and any drug prescribed to you as a result of those treatments. Keep these tips in mind and you will get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.